Apparatus for cleaning tubes

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cleaning the inside of tubes which achieves a high production level and avoids manual operation. The apparatus utilizes a conveyer for transporting a predetermined number of tubes in separate, spaced relationship, a means operatively connected to a source of fluid, preferably air pressure, and having a mouth portion for engagement with said tubes, and positioning means for placing said tubes from said conveyer into fixed, contacting relationship with said mouth portion.

0 United States Patent H 1 1 ,7 0 Van Allman et al. 1 Oct. 16, 1973 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING TUBES 84.77; 13132 g ellernuul... 134/166 c 31,00 1 tuart et a. [751 lnvemrs= g'{, g';:: $3233 2,674,760 4/1954 Finch 15/304 [73] Assignee: Olin Corporation, New Haven, Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Conn. Assistant Examiner-Chris K. Moore [22] Filed, Ju'y 30 1971 Attorney-Rovert H. Bachman, et a1.

[21] App]. No.: 167,637 [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for cleaning the inside of tubes which [521 US. Cl 15/304, 15/316 R, 1135179666 achieves a g production level and avoids manual [51] Int Cl A47 5/38 operation. The apparatus utilizes a conveyer for trans- 58] Fie'ld A 316 R porting a predetermined number of tubes in separate, 6 134/152 166 spaced relationship, a means operatively connected to a source of fluid, preferably air pressure, and having a [561 References Cited mouth portion for engagement with said tubes, and v positioning means for placing said tubes from said UNITED STATES PATENTS conveyer into fixed, contacting relationship with said 3,563,256 2/1971 Babunovic 134/152 X mouth portior 2,963,389 12/1960 Winkler 15/306 B X 2,240,069 4/1941 Fechheimer 15/304 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures A i zz 1 1 1 1 J J m l A ,2 W i Mi Patented Oct. 16, 1973 3,765,050

4 Sheets-Sheet DON T l ANALLMAN ROBERT C. 1 055 INVENTORS +ZL+M 3W;

ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 DON 7. VAN ALLMAN ROBERTC. VOSS INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1973 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [[6 4 oo/v 7. l ANALLMA ROBERT 0 1 055 INVENTORS ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR CLEANING TUBES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Normally, in a commercial operation, the inside of tubes must be cleaned prior to shipment to a customer or use. This is particularly true with respect to metal tubes made by welding an elongated strip. The inside of the tube may have mill lubricant, oil, water or internal scarf which must be removed in order to provide an acceptable product. In fact, the removal of internal scarf stringers quite often requires hand removal and- /or manual removal using air or fluids or a combination of both.

A manual operation for cleaning the inside of the tube with air or water is slow and cumbersome in a commercial operation. Similarly, immersing the tubes in water is inconvenient, slow and not necessarily effective.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning the inside of tubes.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can effectively clean the inside of tubes and achieve a high production level simply and economically.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an apparatus as aforesaid which is versatile and easily operated.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the ensuing specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, it has now been found that the foregoing objects and advantages may be readily achieved, as well as others. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes a conveyer for transporting tubes in separate, spaced relationship, means operatively connected to a source of fluid, preferably air pressure, and having a mouth portion for engagement with said tubes, and positioning means for placing said tubes from said conveyer into fixed, contacting relationship with said mouth portion.

The apparatus of the present invention can effectively clean a plurality of tubes simultaneously in a fully automatic manner. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention achieves a high production level, is simple and convenient to operate and is quite versatile so that it can be readily. used under a variety of conditions with many different tube sizes. For example, tubes of from r: inch diameter to 3% inches diameter have been effectively cleaned with the apparatus of the present invention. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention is readily adaptable to the use of accessories to achieve particular results. For example, the insertion of plugs, balls, fluids, etc. as desired for critical cleaning. Inspection stations may be added to detect unclean tubes and/or to inspect tubes with a critical inside diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a top view of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the storage means and that portion of the conveyor adjacent thereto forv transferring the tubes to be cleaned to the cleaning apparatus, and I FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, and

FIG. 4 is a view along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Storage means 10 is provided for retaining a plurality of tubes 11 to be cleaned. The storage means 10 is operatively connected to a conveyer means 12 for transporting said tubes to the cleaning apparatus 13. The conveyer means 12 may be of any desired design for transferring the tubes from the storage means 10 to the cleaning apparatus 13 so that the tubes 1 1 may be individually positioned at the cleaning apparatus 13 in separate, spaced relationship. In the preferred embodiment as shown clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveyer means is an endless belt with one end thereof adjacent the storage means 10, the other end thereof adjacent a finished product collection means, not shown, and intermediate thereto passing adjacent the .cleaning apparatus 13. The belt or conveyer means 12 has a plurality of compartments 14 with each compartment being adaptedto hold a single tube. The compartments 14 are separated by flanges 15 which serve as spacers between compartments and as an indexing means for withdrawing one tube at a time from the storage means and indexing the appropriate number of tubes to the cleaning apparatus. Any desired means may be chosen for withdrawing only one tube at a time from storage means 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, tube stops 16 may be provided at appropriate intervals along the length of the tube. Flanges 15 pick up only one tube at a time by properly adjusting the tube stops 16 with regard to the flange 15 and the diameter of tubesll. In addition, a tube hold down 17 may be provided to prevent tubes 11 from jumping over one another and to force proper alignment of tubes 11 within storage means 10.

The conveyer 12 may be actuated in any desired manner, such' as a motor operatively connected to the conveyer. The conveyer 12 should be adapted to withdraw the desired number of tubes 11 from the storage means 10, for example, four, five or six,'by simply setting counting dials on amain control panel. The conveyer 12 would then move the appropriate distance to withdraw the appropriate number of tubes and simultaneously move the same number of tubes to the cleaning apparatus. The number of tubes which are indexedper cycle is based on the capacity of the cleaning apparatus and the particular production or quality requirements. It is an advantage of the present invention that many tubes may be effectively and simply cleaned per cycle, providing high production. Naturally, the conveyer 12 'should be equipped with adjustable time delays between indexing to permit the cleaning apparatus 13 to effectively complete its cycle and clean each tube. It is an additional advantage of the present invention that the entire operating cycle is relatively short, on the order of 2 to 20 seconds, further permitting a high production level. v

The cleaning apparatus 13 is supported by base 20 and upstanding frames 21 connected thereto by bolts.

or weldments. The yoke frame 22 is firmly connected tothe upstanding frames 21 by means of bolts or weldments and extends horizontally between the upstanding frames in a plane substantially parallel to base 20. Yoke frame plate 23 is welded to yoke frame 22. Lifting yoke 24 is moveably mounted on the yoke frame 22, moveable in the up and down direction by means of yoke guide posts 25 integrally connected to the lifting yoke 24 at one end thereof and the other end thereof passing through the yoke frame 22, yoke frame plate 23 and yoke guide bushings 26. The yoke guide bushings 26 are bolted to the yoke frame plate 23 by means of bolts 27 and insure true travel on the yoke guide posts 25.

The hold down clamp 28 is connected to the lifting yoke 24 by means of connecting pin 29 and extends downwardly therefrom. The hold down clamp 28 is a platelike member having a plurality of downwardly facing cut out portions 30 for firmly holding the tubes 11 to be cleaned. The number of cut out portions 30 represents the maximum number of tubes which can be cleaned per cycle and is dependent upon the desired capacity of the particular apparatus. Six cut out portions 30 are shown in the illustrated embodiment. A larger or smaller number may be utilized if desired, limited only by desired production considerations and practical size factors. In view of the fact that larger units require larger air cylinder and air supply capacity, it is believed that a capacity of from to 12 tubes per cycle represents a practical upper limit. Furthermore, in view of the speed of the cycles, a larger capacity is not believed necessary. The cut out portions 30 are preferably V-shaped as shown in order to insure that the hold down clamp 28 contacts any tube not within the desired centers and transfers them to a positive position for mating with the air nozzle for cleaning in a manner to be described below. For example, the tubes may be required to be on 4, 5 or 6 inch centers. The cut out portions 30 or notched portions may also be curved, if desired.

The hold down clamp 28 having sufficient clearance nests over the hold down runner 31, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, firmly holding a plurality of tubes therebetween, with one tube being held by each cut out portion 30. Preferably, but not necessarily, at least one of the hold down clamp 28 or the hold down runner 31 should be resilient in the area of contact with the tube 11, such as having rubber padding, so as to minimize thedanger of marking or otherwise damaging the outside of the tubes as well as assure that all tubes are equally clamped securely.

Hold down air cylinder 32 is connected to yoke frame by means of yoke frame plate 23 and bolts 33. The hold down air cylinder is fed by means of hold down air supply line 34 and supplies air pressure to actuate lifting yoke 24 by means of piston 35.

At the completion of the indexing cycle, an electrical signal is sent through a time delay mechanism, which activates a hold down air valve (not shown). The air valve discharges a controlled amount of air into the hold down air cylinder 32 via the hold down air supply line 34, which in turn actuates the lifting yoke 24 by means of air pressure actuating piston 35 downwardly, lowering the entire mechanism and clamping tubes 11. The lifting yoke 24 lowers the hold down clamp 28 over the indexed tubes below, witheach cut out portion 30 firmly grasping a tube 11 as described. The hold down clamp air valve preferably sends an electrical signal when initially activated at the completion of the indexing cycle, through a second time delay mechanism in the main control panel. The resulting time lag guarantees that the hold down clamp 28 is properly in place. An additional safety feature which may be provided is the use of safety latch 36 and pin 37 connected to the yoke frame 22 to lock the hold down clamp 28 in the up position during changes from one product to another. The safety latch permits nozzle or other adjustments without turning off the air and holds the yoke assembly up, avoiding accidental catching of hands or arms should a switch fail or false signal release air into the cylinder, forcing the assembly downward.

A four post die set or accurate table having a top portion 40 and a bottom portion 41 is mounted on base 20 and has four die set posts 42. Nozzle positioning air cylinder 43 is mounted on the top portion 41 of die set 40 by means of bracket 44. The air cylinder piston 45 is attached to the manifold 46 on the forward end and the nozzle positioning air cylinder 43 on the rearward end. The manifold 46 is moveably mounted on the top portion 41 of the die set 40 and carries a plurality of blower means such as air nozzles 47 on the forward portion thereof corresponding to the capacity of the cleaning apparatus. Each air nozzle 47 has a mouth portion for engagement with said tubes 11. The mouth portion may comprise simply a metal plate 48 attached to each air nozzle 47. Optionally, a resilient seal 49, such as a rubber seal, may be attached to each metal plate 48 to insure that there will be no air leakage when the tubes are in cleaning position. A cup-like member or cone-like member may be employed if desired. As indicated hereinabove, the capacity of the apparatus will determine the number of air nozzles. Each air nozzle 47 is positioned adjacent, on center of the V of the cut out portion 30 of the hold down clamp 28.

The nozzle position air cylinder 43 is fed by air supply lines 50. In operation, at the completion of the hold down cycle, with appropriate time delay as indicated above, an electric signal activates an air valve (not shown) to discharge a controlled amount of air into the nozzle positioning air cylinder 43 via the air supply lines 50. This activatespiston 45 which comes forward moving the manifold 46 forward on manifold guides 51 and manifold guide bushings 52 and manifold guide sleeves 53 connected to the top portion 41 of die set 40 bushings 52 and manifold guide sleeves 53 permit the manifold 46 to slide back and forth freely as required. The forward movement of the manifold 46 moves each air nozzle 47 and air nozzle plate 48 forward into positive contacting engagement with the tubes 11 to be cleaned. It is preferred that the nozzles 47 striking the end of the'tubes 11 continue a slight forward movement to insure sealing of the tube ends and prevent air leakage.

Microswitch 55 connected to the manifold 46 senses the end of this cycle when the manifold 46 is in the forward most position and sends an electrical signal via electric sensing line 56 to control box 57 mounted on the top portion 41 of the die set 40 to start the next cycl, which is the cleaning cycle. Naturally, this may be done by time delays, if desired, as in the previous cycles. Appropriate time delays may be provided to insure that the nozzles 47 are completely forward and in the cleaning or blowout position.

When the nozzles 47 are properly positioned in firm contacting relationship with the tubes 11, an appropriate electrical signal at the end of the time delay activates an air valve (not shown) to discharge air via the manifold air supply 60 into the manifold 46, for example, from the main line. The mass of air is allowed to escape through the individual nozzles 47 and into the tubes 11 adjacent thereto. The volume and pressure of the air is controlled to suit the particular product and to be sufficient to remove residues from the tubes and insure proper cleanliness within the tubes. For example, an air pressure of 100 lbs. in each tube isquite satisfactory, depending, of course, on tube size being cleaned.

Naturally, any fluid may be used depending upon particular requirements. Air has been found to be effective and particularly convenient since it avoids the necessity for fluid collection means. Also, if desired, means may be provided to blow a plug of cloth or foam plastic or rubber or the like through each tube.

At the completion of the cleaning cycle, an electrical signal is given to retract the manifold 46, for example, by means of an appropriate timer. The manifold 46 actuates the microswitch 55 at its rearward most movement. Simultaneously, the hold down clamp 28 may be set to retract and strike a microswitch at its rearward most movement. The microswitches are safety features in order to prevent the conveyer 12 from indexing before all moving equipment is clear.

The nozzles 47 on the manifold 46 can be readily adjusted to the centerline of each product through the use of locator 61 mounted on bottom portion 42 of die set 40 by bolts 62 and screw head 63 mounted on top portion 41 of die set 40'by bolts 64. By turning the adjusting crank 65, which is operatively connected to the 10- cator 61, in either direction, the .entire assembly may be raised or lowered, thereby locating the nozzles 47 appropriately.

The next cycle is then commenced, feeding the cleaned tube into a product collection means (not shown) via the indexing conveyer 12.

This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered as in all respects illustrative andnot restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for cleaning the interior of openended tubes of various outer diameters comprising:

an indexing conveyor operable to advance an array of tubes'of a given outer diameter intermittently; said tubes being spaced from one another and having a first end projecting in a predetermined direction;

a movablearray of fluid nozzles operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure; each nozzle being individual to a mating tube and having a mouth portion operable to make a fluidtight connection with a first end of its mating tube;

means for controlling the intermittent advance of said tubes;

clamp means for retaining said tubes in a fixed position while said first ends project in said predetermined direction;

means for moving said nozzles in a first direction into alignment with said tubes;

means for moving said nozzles in a second direction to effect said fluid-tight connection with said open ends; and

control means responsive to motion in said second direction to limit the stroke of said nozzles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the clamp means includes a platen-like member having a plurality of cutouts operable to receive and center tubes of different diameters.

3. An apparatus operable to clean the interior of tubes of different outer diameters comprising:

an indexing conveyor operable to transport tubes of a given outer diameter intermittently in separate, spaced relationship, said tubes having open ends;

- timing means for controlling said intermittent transport;

means for clamping said tubes in a fixed position;

an array of nozzles operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure and each nozzle having a mouth portion operable to engage and make a fluid-tight connection with a mating open end;

means for moving saidnozzles toward said tubes to effect said fluid-tight connection; and

switch means for controlling motion of said nozzles relative to the tubes.

4. An apparatus operable to clean the interior of a plurality of tubes having open ends, and settable to receive groups of tubes of various outer diameters comprising:

an indexing conveyor operable to advance a plurality of tubes of a given outer diameter intermittently and in spaced array, each tube having a longitudinal center line;

a timer for controlling the intermittent advance;

a corresponding array of nozzles operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure, each having a center line, and each operable to make a fluid-tight connection with an open end of a mating tube;

means for clamping the tubes in a fixed position relative to the nozzles; I I I means for moving the nozzles relative to the tubes so that center lines of mating tubes and nozzles are co-axial; and Q means for moving the nozzles toward said tubes along said center lines to bring the nozzles into contact with mating open ends and control means for sensing the occurrence of said contact and operable to insure a fluid-tight seal. 

1. An apparatus for cleaning the interior of open-ended tubes of various outer diameters comprising: an indexing conveyor operable to advance an array of tubes of a given outer diameter intermittently; said tubes being spaced from one another and having a first end projecting in a predetermined direction; a movable array of fluid nozzles operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure; each nozzle being individual to a mating tube and having a mouth portion operable to make a fluid-tight connection with a first end of its mating tube; means for controlling the intermittent advance of said tubes; clamp means for retaining said tubes in a fixed position while said first ends project in said predetermined direction; means for moving said nozzles in a first direction into alignment with said tubes; means for moving said nozzles in a second direction to effect said fluid-tight connection with said open ends; and control means responsive to motion in said second direction to limit the stroke of said nozzles.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the clamp means includes a platen-like member having a plurality of cutouts operable to receive and center tubes of different diameters.
 3. An apparatus operable to clean the interior of tubes of different outer diameters comprising: an indexing conveyor operable to transport tubes of a given outer diameter intermittently in separate, spaced relationship, said tubes having open ends; timing means for controlling said intermittent transport; means for clamping said tubes in a fixed position; an array of nozzles operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure and each nozzle having a mouth portion operable to engage and make a fluid-tight connection with a mating open end; means for moving said nozzles toward said tubes to effect said fluid-tight connection; and switch means for controlling motion of said nozzles relative to the tubes.
 4. An apparatus operable to clean the interior of a plurality of tubes having open ends, and settable to receive groups of tubes of various outer diameters comprising: an indexing conveyor operable to advance a plurality of tubes of a given outer diameter intermittently and in spaced array, each tube having a longitudinal center line; a timer for controlling the intermittent advance; a corresponding array of nozzles operatively connected to a source of fluid under pressure, each having a center line, and each operable to make a fluid-tight connection with an open end of a mating tube; means for clamping the tubes in a fixed position relative to the nozzles; means for moving the nozzles relative to the tubes so that center lines of mating tubes and nozzles are co-axial; and means for moving the nozzles toward said tubes along said center lines to bring the nozzles into contact with mating open ends and control means for sensing the occurrence of said contact and operable to insure a fluid-tight seal. 